Alternate modes of transportation are becoming increasingly popular among District residents

​​​An increasingly larger share of the
District’s residents have demonstrated a preference to use alternate modes of
transportation to commute to work over more traditional transportation modes
such as driving, carpooling or teleworking. Between 2010 and 2016, the
percentage of DC commuters walking, biking and ride-sharing or hailing a taxi
grew from 15.3% to 18.9%, while public transit’s commute share shrank by 0.8%
and the share that drive, carpool and telework dropped from 47.1% to 44.3% The
delivery of multifamily and office developments within close proximity of one
another has increased walkable access for residents, particularly in emerging
markets where close to 8,000 new commuters have moved since 2010.

The delivery of multifamily and office
developments within close proximity of one another has increased walkable
access for residents, particularly in emerging markets where close to 8,000 new
commuters have moved since 2010. As for public transportation, despite Metro
seeing a modest dip in its overall commute share, due to increased competition
and reliability issues, this mode of transit remains a preferred option for
over 125,000 District
commuters.

Meanwhile,
continuous growth of Capital Bikeshare’s system since its inception in
2010, and among competing dockless companies since, has created a
cheap, reliable transportation option for residents; while ride-sharing apps
have helped reduce commute times and offer a more economical alternative to
driving and owning a car in the District.

As
for public transportation, despite Metro seeing a modest dip in its overall
commute share, this mode of transit remains a preferred option for more than
125,000 District commuters and this will only increase as larger shares of
development are focused in the NE, SE and SW quadrants of the city.

Though
driving and public transportation will continue to remain preferred commuting
options among a large portion of residents, the shift in commuting patterns may
alter the way commercial landlords both plan future parking ratios and even
locational investment strategies.